Tell your friend to get hired where he can, get his time and get in the first upgrade class he can (who cares what equipment)... It's a crapshoot who's hiring and which outfit will be good for a several-year ride. Then tell him get OUT of the regional business as fast as he can! I think it's safe to say that all regionals suck at the moment (long days, s*** rules, you're treated like crap by your leaders, etc.). I commute each week on what I think is/was a very solid regional and no one is happy there today.
Of all my friends at regionals, I'd say my one pal at Skywest is the happiest. He does live in base and doesn't get jacked around. (They're the only big non-union player out there, go figure).